Seasoned Boris Johnson loyalist Andrea Jenkyns today exclaimed ‘Those who laugh last, laugh loudest’ as she made her way past the jeering crowds that had gathered outside Downing Street to toast the prime minister’s political demise.
The Tory MP for Morley and Outwood donned a sun-yellow dress as she spoke back to the hundreds of people shouting ‘shame on you’ from behind black metal barriers.
But her taunt – in which she exclaimed, “He who laughs last, laughs loudest…wait and see,” was largely drowned out by a sea of boos and the Benny Hill theme song, which had blasted from the loudspeaker of the infamous anti -Brexit protester Steve Bray, 53, as of early this morning.
He had previously interrupted a live TV broadcast of the song and again heard “Bye Bye Boris,” his adapted rendition of Bay City Rollers classic, “Bye Bye Baby.”
Also among the crowd was a woman whose father died of Covid. She was seen with a photo of her late father, who had lost him during the… coronavirus pandemic, in which Mr. Johnson was in charge.
The vast majority of those in attendance appeared to be celebrating the Prime Minister’s departure, with only a handful of supporters behind him.
The cluster of MPs and assistants inside the gates was somewhat dwarfed by the sheer numbers outside, who jeered and jeered as he gave his address.
One of the protesters waiting outside Downing Street held a sign that read: ‘Get your Johnson out of our democracy’.
A woman whose father died of Covid was among the crowd outside Downing Street today who cheered Boris Johnson’s departure as prime minister
Hundreds gathered behind gates to witness the outgoing Prime Minister’s speech from a distance – less than three years after he took the keys to No10 from Theresa May
Mr Johnson’s following within the gates – including wife Carrie and Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries – was somewhat dwarfed by the sheer numbers outside
The vast majority of those in attendance appeared to be celebrating Mr Johnson’s departure, with only a handful of supporters behind him
A mass of largely outraged crowds of hundreds whooped and hooted his departure, only catching a glimpse of him above the heads of the crowds of media and MPs who gathered to watch his speech
Members of the public stand outside the gates of Downing Street as Prime Minister Boris Johnson reads a statement outside 10 Downing Street
Hundreds waited outside the gates of Downing Street, holding a sign that read: ‘Get your Johnson out of our democracy’
Johnson finally announced his resignation today, admitting that “no one is indispensable” – but he is establishing a “unitary cabinet” as he fights to stay on Downing Street for months longer.
In a statement outside No10, the prime minister tried to sound a cheerful note when he confirmed that his MPs ‘clearly’ want change and that his term will end when a new Tory leader is installed.
Standing on the traditional podium and watched by wife Carrie, baby Romy and close aides, Mr Johnson said the situation was “painful” and called the move to expel him “eccentric”.
But he pointed to his achievements since winning the massive landslide — such as the vaccine rollout, Brexit and helping Ukraine.
He said his message to voters who delivered his 2019 landslide was “thank you for that incredible mandate,” adding that “the reason I fought so hard” was because he felt it was his “job” to to deliver what he promised.
“I want you to know how sad I am to give up the best job in the world, but those are the breaks,” he said.
Johnson blamed his deposition on “powerful herd instinct” and said: “Over the past few days I have been trying to convince my colleagues that it would be eccentric to change government if we deliver so much and if we have such a large mandate.” to have. and when we are actually only a handful of points behind in the polls, even in the medium term after quite a few months of pretty relentless sledding and when the economic situation at home and abroad is so difficult.
‘I regret that I did not succeed in those arguments and it is of course painful not to be able to see through so many ideas and projects myself.
“But as we’ve seen in Westminster, the herd instinct is powerful, when the herd moves, it moves.
“And my friends in politics, no one is remotely indispensable and our brilliant and Darwinian system will produce a new leader equally committed to moving this country forward through difficult times.”
Many filmed the historic moment on their phones while others shouted and gestured with their hands
Anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray was also seen outside with his loudspeaker, which he had been using all morning in Westminster
People gather outside Downing Street, where British Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a statement this afternoon
Police officers were in force to keep the peace as hundreds gathered outside Downing Street for this afternoon’s speech
There were mixed feelings among those who gathered outside No10 today for Boris Johnson’s resignation speech
Crowds gather outside Downing Street in Whitehall as Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivers his resignation speech
Johnson paid tribute to his family for “all they’ve endured,” in a nod to the succession of scandals that have ravaged his premiership.
No10 had called on Conservative MPs to come and watch the speech in the street, but only a small crowd appeared to be in attendance.
Johnson admitted his defeat after a crushing intervention by Nadhim Zahawi, who was not appointed until Tuesday night after the departure of Rishi Sunak. He told Johnson that his situation is “untenable”.
A No10 source said Mr Johnson has spoken to the chairman of the Tory 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady, and has agreed to step down, with a new Tory leader to be in place at the party conference in October.
At the same time, however, Mr Johnson has begun rebuilding his cabinet, making Greg Clark the new Secretary of Leveling Up and James Cleverly the Secretary of Education. Robert Buckland returns as Secretary of Wales and Shailesh Vara becomes Secretary of Northern Ireland.